News / Faroe feud grows
TENSIONS between EU fishermen and Faroe have increased further after the small island state withdrew from international sharing arrangements for the Atlanto-Scandian herring stock.
Many in the industry had already predicted that Faroe would pursue its own national interest rather than abide by international agreements.
Since 2009 the islands have set their own hugely increased mackerel quota, leading to over fishing of the stock and the recent advice from the Marine Conservation Society not to eat mackerel regularly.
Scotland only has a small interest of 8,000 tonnes in the Atlanto-Sandian herring fishery for which a total allowable catch of 619,000 tonnes has been set.
The normal share for Faroe would have been 32,000 tonnes, but its negotiating team announced that it would set its own quota unilaterally.
Chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association Ian Gatt said the Faroese were acting like pirates and called on Denmark to put pressure on the autonomous island group.
“It is essential that the EU now moves quickly to implement sanctions against the Faroese for their unsustainable actions and ensure that they are denied access to lucrative EU markets for their fish products.
“The Faroese are acting like pirates. Of key importance is the need for Denmark to exert its considerable influence to try and resolve the Faroese overfishing of key stocks.
“I met with UK fisheries minister Richard Benyon, and amongst other issues, I urged him to press his Danish counterparts to find an urgent solution that will make the Faroese see sense.”
Northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael added: “The Faroese are becoming increasingly isolated in their thinking on this issue. This is highly unfortunate as in the past they were seen as a great example of fisheries management at its best.
It is not right that other countries should suffer because the Faroese will not play fair.
“The European Union has a duty to now engage with Denmark to ensure that the Faroes will take a more mature approach to help ensure the future of the fishing industry across Northern Europe.”
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